Alex Morgan greets fans after she and other members of the U.S. soccer team arrived in New York's Times Square on Monday, July 18, 2011, the day after the team's loss to Japan in the Women's World Cup final in Germany.

Photo: Craig Ruttle, AP

Alex Morgan greets fans after she and other members of the U.S....

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Alex Morgan of United States celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Final between the United States of America and Japan at FIFA World Cup stadium on July 17, 2011 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Photo: Thorsten Wagner, Getty Images

Alex Morgan of United States celebrates after scoring her team's...

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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - JULY 17: Alex Morgan of United States celebrates after scoring her teams first goal during the FIFA Womens's World Cup Final between the United States of America and Japan at FIFA Word Cup stadium on July 17, 2011 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Photo: Thorsten Wagner, Getty Images

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - JULY 17: Alex Morgan of United States...

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Goalie Hope Solo answers questions after she and U.S. soccer teammates arrived in New York's Times Square on Monday, July 18, 2011, after their loss to Japan on Sunday at the Women's World Cup final in Germany.

Photo: Craig Ruttle, AP

Goalie Hope Solo answers questions after she and U.S. soccer...

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US Soccer team member Megan Rapinoe answers questions after she and other members of the U.S. soccer team arrive in New York's Times Square on Monday, July 18, 2011, the day after a Japan's win over the United States in the Women's World Cup soccer finalin Germany.

Photo: Craig Ruttle, AP

US Soccer team member Megan Rapinoe answers questions after she and...

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Hope Solo answers questions after she and members of the U.S. soccer team arrive in New York's Times Square on Monday, July 18, 2011, the day after a Japan's win over the United States in the Women's World Cup soccer final in Germany.

Photo: Craig Ruttle, AP

Hope Solo answers questions after she and members of the U.S....

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Christie Rampone walks with her daughters Reece, 1, and Rylie, 5, after answering reporters' questions following the U.S. soccer team's arrival in New York's Times Square on Monday, July 18, 2011. Japan defeated the United States in the Women's World Cupsoccer final on Sunday in Germany.

One by one, tired and disappointed members of the U.S Women's World Cup team trudged off the bus in New York City and were greeted by appreciative fans who didn't seem to mind that they came up short of a championship.

About 24 hours after the Americans were beaten in penalty kicks by Japan in the final Sunday, they flew from Germany to Newark, N.J., then took a police-escorted bus ride into Manhattan. There they encountered a few hundred fans who waited on the sidewalk in sweltering heat to welcome them back to friendly turf.

"Really humbling, and truthfully it's probably brought my spirits up more than anything else could have," Abby Wambach said. "I am so disappointed for my teammates, myself. I am so disappointed for our country because I really feel like we had it. It was so close."

Goalkeeper Hope Solo said, "I am hoping I get out of my funk in a little bit because we have Olympic qualifications. I am taking it pretty hard right now. "

While many players will rejoin their Women's Professional Soccer teams, collectively this group is already looking ahead to the 2012 Olympics in London. While they still need to qualify for that tournament, they will be expected to repeat their 2008 gold medal.

Before they get back on the field, there will still be public appearances on tap as the excitement of the World Cup winds down. Solo, Wambach and Megan Rapinoe will make appearances on ABC News' "Good Morning America" today, and Solo and Wambach will be on "Late Show With David Letterman" tonight.

Things looking up for U.S.: There are plenty of reasons for optimism about the future of the American team. While the illustrious careers of co-captain Christie Rampone, Shannon Boxx and Wambach are nearing their end, Rapinoe, Lauren Cheney and Alex Morgan proved they are more than able successors.

Most of the team will remain intact through the Olympics, but Rampone (36) and Boxx (34) are likely to retire after that. Wambach said it's too early to say what she'll do, but she is 31, and her body is showing the wear and tear from the fearless style that has earned her third place on the all-time World Cup scoring list with 13 goals.

Solo is in the prime of her career at 29. Morgan and Cheney, both just 22, each finished the tournament with two goals. Rapinoe, 26, displayed the touch on the flanks so critical in coach Pia Sundhage's desire for a possession-based offense.

13.5 million watched: The final earned the highest rating - 7.4 - for a soccer game on an ESPN network. With an average of almost 13.5 million viewers, it was the sixth most watched soccer telecast ever in the United States.

Earthquake All-Stars: San Jose's Chris Wondolowski and Bobby Convey were named to the MLS All-Star Game. The MLS will play Manchester United on July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.